Energy:
1. The UAE's Habshan gas facility suspended operations due to missile debris.
2. In response to the energy crisis, the European Commission simplified some natural gas import rules.
3. Qatar claims an Iranian missile hit its LNG hub, causing severe damage.
4. Shipping data shows Saudi Arabia's Red Sea crude oil loadings are expected to jump to 3.8 million barrels per day in March.
5. EIA report: US jet fuel product supply fell to its lowest level since February 2024.
6. WTI crude oil futures traded at their largest discount to Brent crude futures since May 2019.
7. Russia: Attacks on Russian LNG carriers in the Mediterranean were acts of terrorism; it may consider providing military escorts for merchant ships.
8. Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade: Crude oil production is projected to fall to 5.8-8 million tons per year between 2026 and 2030. 9. Data shows that Russia's western oil exports in March will fall to 1.7 million barrels per day from the initially planned 1.8 million barrels per day.
10. Bahrain denied Iranian media reports that an LNG refinery was targeted. Bahrain stated that it has no LNG refineries.
11. South Korea is considering importing Russian crude oil and naphtha; the government is consulting with companies on the matter.
12. Austrian Chancellor: Gasoline prices are expected to rise by about 10 cents per liter overall, with measures to be implemented from May and continuing until the end of the year.
Middle East Situation:
1. British Chancellor of the Exchequer: It seems there is no solution to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is frustrating.
2. Russian Foreign Ministry: The US and Israel must stop their attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Further attacks will have unpredictable consequences for the entire Middle East, including the nuclear sector.
3. Energy Related—① Iran's southern oil facilities were attacked, and the country vowed to retaliate by striking oil facilities in three Middle Eastern countries. ② Qatar claims Iranian missiles struck the Ras Raffan industrial city, a natural gas hub, causing severe damage. The facility was subsequently attacked a second time. ③ Iran struck a US-owned oil refinery in Riyadh, causing a fire. ④ Trump authorized the lifting of the 60-day shipping embargo to reduce energy transportation costs within the US. ⑤ Vance held an emergency meeting with oil executives, planning to announce a response policy within 48 hours. ⑥ US media: Trump hopes Israel will postpone further attacks on Iranian energy facilities. ⑦ Several LNG facilities owned by Qatar Energy were attacked by missiles in the early morning, causing large-scale fires and severe damage. ⑧ Sources indicate that the port of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, was attacked by air, but the impact was minimal.
Other:
1. The Thai Futures Exchange announced the suspension of online silver futures trading.
2. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda agreed to de-escalate tensions after talks in Washington.
3. Chemical giant BASF raised prices for neopentyl glycol and formic acid in Europe.
4. The UK will raise steel tariffs and cut import quotas to boost domestic industries. 5. Guinea's Minister of Mining: Bauxite exports will be restricted by early April to stabilize prices.
